A running band, watch accuracy and a loop

​Hi all,

Last weekend I was at the Go Beyond Racing Bristow 24/12/6 hour races getting loopy with athletes on a one-mile lap. One mile, as many times as you can in the time you have allotted yourself. If it sounds boring, check out these photos and then rethink it. The event is not only a celebration of running, but a great way to see what is possible and so many athletes were out there aiming for time and distance PRs or were supporting friends to their own PR. Women won every time category outright and by more than 10 miles with distances of125, 69 and 43 miles. "Katherine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967, recalls in her memoir how her high school’s basketball coach—a woman—told her that women would never play the men’s version of basketball because the “excessive number of jump balls could displace the uterus.” (Outside Magazine, The Myth of The Falling Uterus) Nice job to the women for showing us that an excessive number of jumps can look joyous and for the record, nothing was displaced. 

The race also had more than one nonbinary racer in each division, the most I have seen at any race thanks to the celebration that is Pride at Bristow. And thanks to Go Beyond Racing, they enjoyed equal podiums. Joy. Joy. Non-binary joy!!! 

We are in an absolute boom time for running right now. There are shoes for most every foot, races for most every pace and there is no reason you shouldn't be a part of it. And even better, I offer free Strength Training for Runners on Wednesday nights, so you get a strong core, and you get a strong core and everyone gets a strong core! 

APPLE WATCH ACCURACY
The title says your Apple Watch may not be as accurate as you think, but I think for runners the news is good. "Heart rate had a percentage error of 4.43%, while step count had an error of 8.17%. Anything below 10% is considered excellent, so you should feel pretty confident in what your Apple Watch says your heart rate and step count are for the day." On the other hand, the calories burned was off by 27.96% but do people trust that anyway?? Not sure if it is measuring high or low, but either way, ignore that very inaccurate part of your data set. 

RUNNING BAND
There is a good alternative to the running vest for shorter outings. Also, as temps rise, wearing a vest on a shorter run or a run with consistent resupply points can be HOT. If you have been running a long time and tried a waist belt like this or these, you know the load can bounce and be super annoying. If you haven't tried a running band, it may be worth some new gear. Companies like Naked or Ultraspire have created snug fitting bands that use compression to stay on and hold your gear. They hold a soft flask so as you drink there is no sloshing like using a hard sided water bottle. 

I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS
Love this take on should women wear underwear. 

Happy trails,
Dana